What's Happening?
The World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) has initiated the 'Almaty Call to Action' to promote women's empowerment in the tourism sector. This initiative emerged from the First Regional Conference on the Empowerment of Women in Tourism in Europe, held
in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The conference, which took place from October 22-23, 2025, aimed to address gender inequalities in tourism, a sector that is a significant source of employment for women globally. Despite its potential, women often face lower pay, limited leadership roles, and a high burden of unpaid domestic work. The Almaty Call to Action outlines six key areas for improvement, including employment, entrepreneurship, leadership, education, community involvement, and policy measurement. The initiative seeks to close the gender wage gap, enhance women's access to leadership roles, and improve work-life balance, among other goals.
Why It's Important?
The Almaty Call to Action is significant as it addresses persistent gender inequalities in the tourism industry, which is a major economic sector worldwide. By focusing on women's empowerment, the initiative aims to unlock the full potential of the tourism sector, leading to more inclusive economic growth. Women stand to gain from increased opportunities for leadership, entrepreneurship, and fair compensation. The initiative also aligns with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, emphasizing gender equality as a critical component of global progress. Successful implementation could serve as a model for other sectors, promoting broader societal change towards gender equality.
What's Next?
The next steps involve implementing the strategies outlined in the Almaty Call to Action. This includes developing policies to tackle the gender pay gap, supporting women's entrepreneurship, and enhancing access to education and training. UN Tourism plans to collaborate with various stakeholders, including governments, private sector actors, and civil society, to drive these changes. Regular monitoring and reporting on progress will be essential to ensure accountability and measure the impact of these initiatives. The success of this initiative could lead to further international efforts to promote gender equality in other economic sectors.
Beyond the Headlines
The Almaty Call to Action highlights the broader cultural and ethical dimensions of gender equality in tourism. By addressing issues such as gender-based violence and harassment, the initiative seeks to create a safer and more inclusive environment for women. It also emphasizes the importance of integrating a gender perspective into all phases of tourism policy and program development. This approach could lead to long-term shifts in societal attitudes towards gender roles, contributing to a more equitable distribution of domestic responsibilities and professional opportunities.
